Mitsubishi Mirage: The Global Small Car Becomes a Reality
At the Geneva International Motor Show last March, Mitsubishi unveiled its Global Small Car Concept, the precursor to what is to become a new generator of small, affordable vehicles. They will all be built on the same platform, but offered around the world under different nomenclatures and assembled in several different emerging countries.
For example, in Japan it will be called the Mirage, while in Europe it will keep the Colt name and be built in Born, Netherlands. (Remember: The Dodge and Plymouth Colt offered in North America from 1970 to 1994 were clones of the Mitsubishi Colt.)
A shortage of small cars
In some global markets, this Japanese automaker is suffering from a shortage of small cars – especially in North America.
But this stands to change with the arrival of the new Mirage sub-compact.
The Mitsubishi Mirage
With a total length of 3,710 mm, the Mirage is about the same size as the Mini Cooper.
As for its body style, it takes on the ever-popular 5-door hatchback configuration, looking much more like the new Chevrolet Aveo and Toyota Yaris than the Ford Fiesta.
It features a 1.0L 4-cylinder MIVEC engine, whose output has yet to be released. This comes factory standard with a stop-start system to halt the engine every time the car comes to a standstill.
According to Mitsubishi, this low-cost small car could boast fuel economy as low as 3.4L/100 km.
And the Mitsubishi Colt
If they want to play it smart, North American dealerships should make a point of carrying the new Mitsubishi Colt. In doing so, they will be able to offer a sub-compact that rivals the Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Mazda2, Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris and many more yet to come…
The Mitsubishi Mirage will first go on sale in Thailand in March 2012.